EOU loads up the roster

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Staff photo by E.J. HarrisHermiston’s Jonathan Hinkle breaks free from the grasps of Churchill’s Evan Powell and Aidan Fox (7) in the Bulldogs’ 38-35 win against the Lancers in the 5A state chmapionship game Saturday in Hillsboro. - grande observer

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Staff photo by E.J. HarrisHermiston’s Jonathan Hinkle breaks free from the grasps of Churchill’s Evan Powell and Aidan Fox (7) in the Bulldogs’ 38-35 win against the Lancers in the 5A state chmapionship game Saturday in Hillsboro. 7149887

The Eastern Oregon football program added “a little bit of everything” to its roster with the signing class it released Wednesday, according to EOU head coach Tim Camp.

“Every position is going to be represented in this signing class,” Camp said. “You always have some athletes who typically could play anywhere. When you watch high school games, you see them playing different positions.”

As of Wednesday, Eastern added 33 players — 30 high school athletes and three transfers — from throughout the west. EOU pulled athletes from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and Utah for this class.

Unlike recent years, EOU didn’t add anybody from Union, Wallowa or Baker counties. The Mountaineers did, however, add players from both Class 5A state champion Hermiston and 6A champion Clackamas.

Some of the state and area highlights signed include Jonathan Hinkle, who was a first-team all-Columbia River Conference linebacker and running back, and a first-team all-state running back, rushed for 1,424 yards and 18 touchdowns for Hermiston.

James Millspaugh was also a running back on a state championship squad in Oregon, and was among the top scorers in the state for Clackamas. Millspaugh accumulated 1,425 yards, averaged nearly seven yards per carry, and scored 35 touchdowns.

Across the border in Idaho, Fruitland, which won the 3A state championship, saw three players sign with the Mountaineers, the most of any school. That included Idaho 3A player of the year Jordan Eggers, who gained more than 1,400 yards combined rushing and receiving while scoring 20 touchdowns for the Grizzlies. Eggers will again be teamed up with running back/linebacker combo Canaan Bourcy and 2017 all-state middle linebacker Ethan Villalobos.

Camp also continued EOU’s recent pipeline from Lowry High School in Winnemucca, Nevada, which brought former Mountaineer standouts Jace Billingsley and Michal Arenas.

This year, Eastern signed two Winnemucca athletes: wide receiver/defensive back Matthew Souza and all-league running back Victor Rosas.

Camp said the versatility of the signing class is a major benefit. Many played on offense and defense, which gives the Mountaineers’ coaching staff more flexibility in where to potentially put the players.

“You have guys (for example) who play wide receiver and defensive back and are athletic enough to play on both sides of the ball,” Camp said.

He added that the class gives EOU something it is always in need of: depth.

“I will not pass by a player who can fit many different roles for our program. Every position is very important,” Camp said. “We think they all have the ability to come here and really contribute at some point in time.